Did Jesus Lie to His Brothers In John Chapter 7?

In the Gospel of John, did Jesus tell a white lie to his brothers. That's just one of the questions will be answering on today's addition of core Christianity hi this is Bill Meyer along with Pastor Israel Sanchez and this is the radio program where we answer your questions about the Bible and the Christian life every day.

You can call us right now with your question. At 833 the core that's 1-833-843-2673. You can also email us with your questions at questions at core, Christianity.com now a drill before we get started today. I understand you did something rather unique for your congregation last Sunday. Yes we we met. I mean, I know we've been talking about it last week and how we were kind of planning on doing a driving service. We made it happen on Sunday. There were some some minor case it will probably have to iron out for the upcoming week, but it was really really cool. I mean it was I was preaching on top of the Jeep was one of our elders at his car but he put this big platform on top and I was able to stand on top of and preach from there to a parking lot full of cars were calling it the series of sermons on the Jeep sermon on the mount. So I sexy pretty pretty cool and I think people are just think encouraged to gather together in this way that that was safe. And you know okay by state and county guidelines, you know, it was great. You actually serve communion the car by car that was pretty cool.

Yeah, we asked people to bring their own glasses and we had these prepackaged wafers in our elders when around with gloves and masks and try to do everything aboveboard and is best we can continue to to serve the Lord and give people what we call the means of grace. The preaching of the word.

These gifts that God gives to us in Scripture that he talks about, you know that the Lord's supper it's it's interesting, sometimes we distinguish between the circumstances of worship and the elements of worship of the circumstances are about what time are we meeting at where are we going to meet you know what the temperature can it be in the room were meeting those of the circumstances, that's not really what makes a worship service. What makes a worship service are the elements of worship is Jesus present through the preaching of the word are we praying are we singing are we taking the Lord's supper these ordinances that Jesus gave to the church those of the elements of worship. That's what makes a worship service.

The circumstances were definitely different, but the elements were there and I think that was encouraging for people. Well, it's very exciting and we pray that goes well again this Sunday as well. Let's go to our first question here on core, Christianity, and this one was emailed in from Leslie and she says if Jesus is still embodied, even though in a glorified body does that mean he is not omnipresent. Wow Leslie you note this question to open up a can of worms makes a really good question. This has been debated throughout the history of the church, especially during the time of the Reformation was this question in particular that was raised related to the presence of Jesus in the Lord's supper. Here's what we have to understand God. The word Dick John 11 in the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God.

Jesus, the eternal son of God is one person, the second person of the holy Trinity isn't a divine and human person. He's one divine person with two natures, the divine person assumed humanity in the incarnation. Why for you and I do so that we could be saved and when Jesus assumed humanity for our salvation. And in assuming humanity. He became circumscribed in that humanity. So when Jesus was walking around Jerusalem. His flesh was not simultaneously in Egypt or the Americas.

It was localized. Here's the great mystery in his divinity. He still was and is everywhere present. I think of what Paul said in Colossians chapter 1 verses 15 through 17.

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities all things were created through him and for him and he is before all things and in him all things hold together when the Lord assumed humanity.

He's nursing at Mary's breasts, somehow he still upholding the entire universe the author the Hebrews that in Hebrews 13 Jesus is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. So we have to understand is that while Jesus. The word eternal son of God took flesh in his divine nature.

He is omnipresent God and so we would want to still say that he's omnipresent Leslie and and and even though the body of our Lord is localized like he was when he was walking around Jerusalem, preaching on the sermon on the Mount in his divinity and his divine nature.

He was everywhere and he is everywhere he is present with us now by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Leslie, thank you for your question. Boy, that was that was a deep philosophical I tell you what Bill, I am and I love getting questions about Christ, about the person of the son of God, the God man one person, two natures, because really at the end of the day.

It has to do with our salvation. If Jesus isn't truly human, and he can't save us to Mediate for us as humans, but if he is God more than his his atonement, his satisfaction for our sins would not have been sufficient to cover the sins of the whole earth is so you know it. It is a philosophical question, but at the end of the day it's a question that relates to our eternal salvation.

And that's why was one of the most hotly debated questions in the ancient church and even during the time of the New Testament you think about what John says in first John, where he talks about the spirit of the antichrist and what does the spirit of the antichrist want to do you want to confuse us about Jesus wants us to think that Jesus didn't really come in the flesh that he isn't said he was one of Satan's main tactics today and throughout the history of the church is been let's confuse the world about who Christ is and so that's why these questions are so important, and that's one of our goals are your core Christianity is to cut through any confusion and to bring clarity both for believers and for people that are tuning in. That may not know Jesus as their personal savior so that they can come to a full knowledge of him and trust him. This is core Christianity. Our phone number to call us with the question is 833 the core that's 1-833-843-2673 and let's go to our first call the day I like to know what time of the coming of Christ and what it is time Christ Jesus return Elaine thank you for that question really an important one, because we can be confused about this. I remember I mean before I was. I think truly a Christian. Walking with the Lord and I would hear about that the coming of Christ you know there was that passage in the book of Revelation that I had heard were it talked about Jesus coming with the clouds, and so I thought you know when the Lord comes back. It has to be a cloudy day. So if it wasn't a cloudy day. This is the sound silly to you but I would tell myself I'm good I can keep on living in mice that you he's not coming back to… Missed misunderstanding in misinterpreting the Bible, but a lot of people have done that, especially with regard to this question of the second coming of theirs. This book several years ago I think was called 88 reasons why the rapture will be in 1988 or something like that. It you know put together all the so-called signs for why the coming of the Lord was good to be in 1988. We really can can mess this up. I think when we approach which is most important for us to understand the basic teaching of the Bible related to the second coming of Jesus give you five signs that I think we see in Scripture related to the second coming of Jesus. Some of them that you see in the book of Matthew one. It's what we call the Gentile inclusion of the gospel going to the nation to see this in Matthew chapter 24 verse 14. Listen to what Jesus said there in this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. I think this is also corroborated by what the apostle Paul says in places like Romans chapter 11 verse 25. Here's another and another sign the fullness of Israel, or that the ethnic conversion of the Jews. You see this in places like Zechariah chapter 12 verse 10 or Romans chapter 11 versus 25 to 29. That's not necessarily in Matthew in particular and in that sermon that Jesus gives in Matthew 24 and 25, but that's another sign that I think this is important one that you do see I get in Matthew 24 verses 9 to 12 is this great apostasy. Jesus talks about a falling away tribulation. Paul says in first Timothy chapter 4 verse one that in the latter days. Many will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and the doctrines of demons you have Gentile inclusion. The preaching of the gospel to all the nations, the fullness of Israel a great apostasy. A great falling away that you have also worked with, sometimes called the coming of the antichrist, the man of sin. Paul talks about this in second Thessalonians chapter 2 verses one, following John as I mentioned earlier in first John chapter 2 talks about how there are already many antichrist in the world were trying to confuse us about who Jesus is, but you get the sense it, especially from Paul in second Thessalonians that there's just one finger in particular who asserted that the antichrist of antichrist who sets himself against the Lord. That's another sign of that's probably contemporaneous with the coming of the Lord, the revelation of this man of sin. Paul talks about and then you also have in Matthew 24 verses 29 to 30 signs and wonders, and this goes along with the sort of great deception that will come at the last day and so really, these big sort of preaching of the gospel throughout the whole world. Yet this revival and then you also have this great falling away. Those are some of the things that we see in Matthew. But here's the thing that and I think this is really important when it comes to the second coming of Jesus. There's all sorts of disagreement between Christians different views on what we call eschatology, but we have to understand is that he is coming to judge the world and throughout the Scriptures, and in the New Testament. In particular, we are called as believers to be ready for that coming to be ready. That's the big question. Are you ready for the coming of Jesus Christ. And the thing is we don't know when he's coming come at any time, but we know that we need to be ready.

How do we get ready for the coming of Jesus Christ will return to him by faith is calling us to himself of so many people like like I used to live bait they think well I have more time. I can just continue to live for myself and do whatever I want and I don't need to follow Jesus will know. I mean, that's just a horrible mistake. God says turned to me. Jesus says look to me and be ready and I think that's what were called to do. Elaine, thank you so much for your question. We do appreciate that something that, of course, all of us as believers to be thinking about and especially as we interact with our friends and work associates who are believers in the importance of sharing the good news of the gospel with them. Later will you know as we reflect on some of the things that the families and churches and businesses much our entire country that are facing right now. Having that sure confidence in the work of Jesus on the cross on our behalf is really so critical especially at this time it really isn't here. That's what we've been talking about on this program how Satan more than anything wants to confuse us about who Jesus is not only who Jesus is what he's done for us. It's key is it's is so important for us to have a deeper understanding of the Scriptures in Jesus's work on our behalf.

That's what we were seeking to it answered that the difficult questions the unsettling questions of our times for both skeptics and committed believers want to give you answers that show that the Christian faith isn't just true that it's beautiful. Your support alongside of the work that our team does to produce and air this broadcast is making a real difference difference helping others to live with joy, hope and confidence in the work of Jesus Christ, an eternal difference. Consider sending a gift now to help us continue as a thank you for a gift of $20 or more will send you our new core Christianity Bible study on Paul's letter to the Romans and Bill would just been talking on this program about it, the antichrist, the spirit of the antichrist and who Jesus really is and how one of Satan's main tactics today is to confuse us about Jesus and what he's done for us and so it's so important for us as Christians to understand the doctrines related to Christ related to the work of Christ on our behalf, our justification, our salvation will that's what this study on the book of Romans is going to help you to understand get to do a deep dive into the Scriptures so that you can get a better understanding of who Jesus is and what he's done for you so I hope you'll take advantage of this resource to make a donation received this study on Romans had over the core, Christianity.com and on behalf of the entire team here at core radio.

Thank you for your support Federalist go to another question.

This is an email that came in for Mark and he says in chapter 7 of John Jesus brothers ask him to go to Judea. In verses six through nine. Jesus explains that he is not going up to this festival. Then in verse 10 Jesus does the opposite of what he told his brothers after Jesus brothers left for the festival. Then Jesus went privately in secret.

Whatever Jesus reason was to go. It seems like he lied to his brothers. I am so disturbed by this passage because it seems like what we call a little white lie.

Please address not the reason why he did this but rather how this is not a lie; just read some of the section that you referring to will begin in verse six of John chapter 7 Jesus said to them, my time has not yet come.

But your time is always here.

The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify about it that it's works are evil. You go up to the feast.

I am not going up to this feast for my time has not yet fully come after saying this he remained in Galilee, but after his brothers had gone up to the feast. Then he also went up not publicly but in private. The Jews were looking for him it the feast in saying, where is the and there was much muttering about him among the people. While some said he is a good man.

Other said no, he is leading the people astray. Yet, for fear of the Jews. No one spoke openly of him. Okay, so how do we unravel this will first Scripture makes it absolutely clear that Jesus never sinned. This is key. There was a poll that was done recently in the United States suggested that many Americans think that Jesus did actually said they were really confused about the identity of Jesus and sort of a theme on this program how Satan wants us to be confused about this other.

A lot of people think Jesus did send that couldn't have happened because if he was a sinner.

If he did sin he could atone for our sins. Jesus is the spotless Lamb of God earlier in John's Gospel when John the Baptist sees Jesus. He says behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world with Jesus had his own sin. If he was a liar he couldn't have done that. So how do we make sense of, at least, what may be on the surface seems like Jesus could be telling white lie, as you say here, Mark. Well, I don't think he is. The key is he doesn't go up to the feast immediately after he tells them he's knocking to go verse nine it says after saying this he remained in Galilee now. Eventually he does go up but he has to do it privately because his hour had not yet common throughout the gospel of John the hour is a reference to Jesus's suffering on the cross, the passion of Jesus. You remember back in John chapter 2 when they run out of wine at the wedding in Cana of Galilee and Mary Jesus's mother asked Jesus to do something in his response to her is my hour has not yet come.

The focus on the hour is what Jesus is been wanting his disciples and his brothers here in John chapter 7, to understand what he's come to do for us to atone for our sins so that's why he held back initially but then eventually he does go I don't think he's lying, because when he said he wasn't going to go. Verse nine tells us that he remained in Galilee and that's that's what happened now. Eventually he does go but he goes in private so that the Jews don't lay hold of them and kill him or do something prematurely, that would get in the way of the purpose for which Jesus came that our of his suffering for our sakes on the cross so I hope that that helps you Mark. I think that's one of the ways that we can unpack that text but it's certainly clear to us elsewhere in Scripture. This is a key interpretive rule when it comes to understand the Bible, while at the clear passages of Scripture interpret the less clear passages and it is absolutely clear to us. According to Scripture that Jesus never said a book of Hebrews says in Hebrews chapter 4 verse 15. We do not have a high priest was unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, and yet is without sin. Jesus never sinned, and that's what made him a perfect sacrifice for our sins federal, you mentioned that new poll were so many Americans believe that Jesus did sin which is just striking to me it it shows you how far we've come as a culture, how far from the truth of the gospel and Sony people are deceived yeah well that here's the thing, I think most people today, even many professing Christians think that Jesus primarily came to be a good example. That's what Jesus was doing and he was just a great teacher. Good moral guide. Most people today are willing to say that regardless of whether or not they identify as Christians, you know, we don't want to be offensive. We will say both you know he was. He was probably a great spiritual teacher like Mohammed are like boot or something like that when you read the New Testament you just can't come to that conclusion. Jesus was not just a great moral teacher or some prophet, a figure like that he was, as John said, the Lamb of God is come the take away the sin of the world and in order to be the Lamb of God who accomplished that the prerequisite one of the prerequisites was he had to be sinless men just goes to show how much God loves us that he would go to these lengths that the son of God would assume humanity to atone for our sins is the only one that could do it and it's so important for us to understand that Bill your listing the core Christianity. Our phone number is 833-843-2673 and let's go to another call right now I currently and currently have an Atlanta, Georgia. We had gone charging an area and not the best for our family. My husband and two boys have tremendous respect for a pastor that not last and I'm wondering is it wrong to relocate our family to that part of the country to be a part of his service. The only guy that she claimed the land my family have any respect for that they will criticize after church service and they won't sneeze during a church service so you can give me some type of kindly placed him on this.

Thank you semi night Loralee, are you guys thinking about moving to San Diego to come to church with us. To me that's what I'm just joking joking I'm teasing it in. I might shock you to hear me say this, but I think it's totally legitimate to move for the sake of a good church and we move for all sorts of reasons.

Don't wait to get a good job to be with family to find cheaper housing in those things are all great.

We need to realize that our our spiritual health trumps all of that. I mean, I know I'm speaking as a pastor, but the fact is I know the people today often assume will find a good church, wherever they move only to moving to discover that they're having a hard time finding anything any spiritual fellowship or community. What are your priorities at the top of our list should be being in a good church. Now what is a good church. While the first thing you have to ask is, is the true church, and here's what a true church is a true churches, a place for the word of God with the gospel of Jesus Christ is faithfully taught.

Worship is conducted according to the way Jesus instituted me of the ordinances that Jesus gives baptism, the Lord's supper. There's church discipline like Jesus talked about in Matthew 18. They take sin seriously. I a lot of times we focus on style, the I really like the worship style. The music those things are secondary. The question is, is Christ being proclaimed, and if if there is no church near you where that's happening, then yeah I would say move and and that's okay. That's a good reason to do it because more than anything we need Jesus and Jesus offers himself to us through the faithful preaching of the word and in the Lord's supper and so I think sister that it's totally legitimate. Loralee if if you want to move. For that reason I would say more power to you and you know Loralee I said you know it's not all about the styles is the word being priest, but we also do want to be careful that it is that like a cult of personality and that's another thing you know it, we should be drawn to a particular man should be drawn to Jesus. So I think that's one question that you guys could also ask yourselves in your your husband should ask himself is, what is it that attracts me is that this this pastor's style or is it the fact that Christ is being preached there faithfully and the reality is that that's not just happening in 1 Church Way out west. I think there are faithful churches, preaching Jesus all over the place. Sometimes the harder to find what you do your homework and I think that when you go, the focus is to focus want have on this program Christ and him crucified. And that's what builds us up his work on our behalf in the word of God being faithfully taught the nourishes us so that we can grow race and I hope you find that. Thanks for listening to core Christianity to request your copy of today's special offer. Visit us@corechristianity.com and click on offers in the menu bar or call us at 1-833-843-2673 that's a 33, the court when you contact us. Please let us know how you been encouraged by this podcast and be sure to join us next time.

As we explore the truth of God's word together